Combined stop and support arrangement for the rear end of the return spring assembly of a railway vehicle cushioning unit

ABSTRACT

A combined stop and support arrangement is disclosed for confining the rear end of the return spring assembly of a railway vehicle cushioning unit between the laterally spaced, vertical flange portions of the longitudinally extending center sill of a railway vehicle underframe. The arrangement includes a plate secured to the rear end of the return spring assembly so as to extend generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the center sill and the line of action of the applied force from the cushioning unit. A pair of vertically spaced, horizontally arranged plates are secured to the rear face of the return spring assembly plate, and a pair of blocks are secured to the inner surfaces of the vertical flange portions of the center sill so as to nest between the horizontally arranged plates. The blocks thus function as stops for preventing rearward longitudinal movement of the return spring assembly and also to prevent vertical movement of the rear end of the return spring assembly with respect to the center sill. The plate on the rear end of the return spring assembly has a width substantially equal to the lateral spacing between the inner surfaces of the vertical flange portions of the center sill so that the rear end of the spring assembly is confined against lateral movement in the sill. A plurality of gusset blocks are secured to the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontally arranged plates on the return spring assembly rear plate, and to the outer surface of the latter plate, for increased strength.

[1 3,822,021 July 2, 1974 United States Patent [19] Hawthorne i closed for confining the rear enclof the return s assembly of a railway vehicle cusihionin the laterally spaced,

horizontally arra to the rear face of the retu and a pair of blocks are sec gitudinally extending center sil underframe. The arrangement i to the rear end of the return 5 extend generally perpendicul axis of the center sill and the line plied force from the cushionin cally spaced nest between the horizontally arranged plates. The blocks thus function as stops for preventing rearward longitudinal movement of the return spring assembly 92 i 7 m 1.14 Z /0 W 3 2 2 8 2:5 3 nm m h c r m L W! n w d td Umfi till 2 8 555 and also to prevent vertical movement of the rear end of the return spring assembly with respect to the center sill. The plate on the rear end of the return spring [56] References Cited assembly has a width substantially equal to the lateral UNITED STATES PATENTS spacing between the inner surfaces of the vertical f .y 6 l8 wsmb M E.Em em fi rl s aas flm E ke t. w h h mbfmflm t om m mmaw m n a%Cm a e w mu mw m m Sn [CS fiww h t 6 oao f. Cr u Smm In my mma A m n Cl 10 omL tr SBHD. am w mm .maee aw n h mn as 3& p n flmw ral alc W bw td n n nmyr m nwm fltmctrf [57] ABSTRACT A combined stop and support arrangement is dis- 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures COMBINED STOP AND SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT FOR THE REAR END OF THE RETURN SPRING ASSEMBLY OF A RAILWAY VEHICLE CUSHIONING UNIT This invention relates to railway vehicle cushioning devices, and more particularly relates to a combined stop and support arrangement for the rear end of the return spring assembly of a railway vehicle cushioning unit.

Cushioning assemblies for cushioning the impact of buff and draft loads applied to railway vehicle are usually mounted in .the interior of the longitudinally exheretofore advaced for achieving the foregoing, all

have not proved entirely satisfactory for various reasons, such as inability to maintain concentricity between the components of the assemblies and hence between the lines of action of the forces of return spring assemblies and plungers of the cushioning units after extended use. In addition, many of the mountings heretofore advanced were difficult and costly to install, and expensive to manufacture.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved combination stop and support arrangement for the rear end of the return spring assembly of a railway vehicle cushioning unit.

A specific object is to provide a novel combination rear stop and support arrangement for the rear end of the return spring assembly of a railway vehicle cushioning unit, which effectively confines the rear end of the return spring assembly against both horizontal and vertical movement in the center sill of the vehicle and thereby assures a concentric relationship between the lines of action of the forces acting on the return spring assembly.

Another object is to provide a novel combination rear stop and support arrangement of the character described, which is simple to install, reliable in operatin, and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying sheet of drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a portion of one end of a railway vehicle, and showing the relationship of the parts of a cushioning assembly at said end as they would appear when mounted in the center sill of the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, end elevational view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view, with some parts elevational, taken along the line 5--5of FIG. 4.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of the center sill, indicated generally at 10, at one end of a railway vehicle is illustrated. The sill 10 includes a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced' members or beams 11 and 12, each having a vertically extending flange portion 13 and defining an open central portion in the sill. The underfloor, indicated at 14, of the vehicle rests on the upper longitudinal edges of the beams 11 and I2.

A cushioning assembly, indicated generally at 15 in FIG. 2, is mounted between the beams 11 and 12 of the center sill and is conventional to the extent that it includes a cushioning unit 16 having a reciprocably mounted piston rod 17 extending from the right end thereof, as viewed in FIGS. land 2, and connected to one end of a yoke 18. The yoke 18 is shiftably mounted in a coupler casing 22 which, in the present construction, serves as an extension for the center sill 10. The shank, indicated at 23, of a coupler is shown in phantom lines and is connected to the yoke 18 by a draft key 24.

The cushioningassembly 15 also includes a return spring assembly, indicated generally at 25, mounted between the members ll and 12 of the sill l0 and rearwardly or toward the left of the cushioning unit 16, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The return spring assembly 25 has a rod 26 extending from the inner or forward end thereof for engagement with the rear or inner end of the piston rod 17 of the cushioning unit 16. The forward or outer end, indicated at 27, of the return spring assembly 25 engages and is supported by a bolster casting 28, which is secured by means not shown to the center sill 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, inclusive, in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the return spring assembly 25 includes a generally cylindrical housing 32 within which a return spring 33, which is preferably of the coil type, is mounted. The front or right end of the return spring 33, as viewed in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, engages a spring follower which includes a disk-like retainer 34 (FIG. 2) in the housing 32. The retainer 34 is welded or otherwise secured to the rod 26, and the left or rear end of the return spring engages the inner face, indicated at 36, of a plate 37 which is secured as by welding to the rear or left end, indicated at 38, of the return spring housing 32. The plate 37 comprises a portion of a combined stop and support arrangement, indicated generally at 50, for the rear or left end of the return spring assembly 25, to be described more fully hereinafter.

The rear or left end of the return spring assembly rod 26 extends through a tubular bushing 42 (FIGS. 3 and 5), and terminates in a jacking lug 44 having a n opening 46 therein. A collar 47 is welded to the rod 36 to limit movement thereof toward the front or right end 27 of the housing 32.

According to the present invention, a novel combined stop and support arrangement, indicated generally at 50 is provided at the rear or left end 38 of the return spring assembly 25 for assuring concentricity between the line of action of the force applied to the return spring assembly 25 from the piston rod 17 of the cushioning unit 16 and from the reaction force from the center sill 10. The stop and support arrangement 50 thus comprises the plate 37 at the rear end of the return 3 spring assembly 25, which is preferably generally rectangular in shape and which has a lateral width substantially equal to the lateral space between the inner surfaces, indicated at 52, of the vertically extending flange portions 13 of the beam members 11 and 12. Thus, the small clearance between the vertical side edges, indicated at 54, of the plate 37 and the adjacent surfaces 52 of the sill flange portions 13 serves to confine the left or rear end 38 of the return spring housing 32 against lateral movements in the sill 10.

The arrangement 50 also includes abutment means providing a stop for preventing longitudinally rearward or inward movement of the housing 32 of the return spring assembly 25. Such abutment means preferably comprises at least one and preferably a pair of laterally spaced abutment members or blocks 56 and 57, which are respectively secured to the inner surfaces 52 of the flange portions 13 of the beam members 11 and 12. In the present instance, two verticallyspaced bolts 58 are utilized to secure each of the block members 56 and 57 to the flange portions 13.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the blocks 56 and 57 each have a lateral or horizontal width such that a substantial portion of each block overlaps the margin of the plate 37 when the blocks are mounted on the flanges l3 and the plate 37 is engaged with the blocks. Consequently, the blocks 56 and 57 effectively prevent any rearward longitudinal movement of the spring assembly 25. Moreover, the blocks 56 and 57 are secured to the flanges 13 so that the vertical centers thereof lie in a plane which includes the axis of the return spring rod 26 and the rod 17 of the cushioning unit 16.

In order to confine the left or rear end 38 of the housing 32 against vertical movement with respect to the center sill 10, the stop and support arrangement 50 includes pocket means carried at the rear end 38 of the spring housing 32 for receiving and coacting with the blocks 56 and 57. Such pocket means in the present instance comprises the outer or rear face, indicated at 62, of the plate 37, and a pair of horizontally extending, vertically spaced wall portions, which extend longitudinally rearwardly from the rear face 62 of the plate 37. Such wall portions are preferably provided by the opposite side faces, indicated at 63, of a pair of horizontally arranged, vertically spaced plates 64 and 65, each secured as by welding, along one longitudinal side edge to the rear face 62 of the plate 37. The vertical spacing between the plates 64 and 65 is substantially equal to the vertical length of the blocks 56 and 57.

In order to strengthen the mounting of the plates 64 and 65 on the plate 37, gusset means is provided therebetween. Such gusset means, in the present instance, comprises at least one and preferably three rectangularly shaped blocks 66 welded or otherwise secured to the outer side faces of the horizontal plate 64 and 65, and the adjacent outer or rear face 62 of the plate 37.

.of action of the forces acting on the return spring assembly by effectively preventing any vertical or lateral movement of the rear end 38 of the return spring assembly in the sill due to the nested relation of the blocks 56 and 57 between the horizontal plates 64 and 65 and the close fit between the side edges 54 of the plate 37 and the inner surfaces 52 of the flange portions 13. Moreover, the simplicity of the construction of the arrangement 50 minimizes manufacturing and installation costs.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that modifications and variations thereof may be effected without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combined stop and support arrangement for the rear end of the return spring assembly for the cushioning unit of a railway vehicle underframe cushioning assembly, said underframe including an elongated, longitudinally extending center sill having an open central portion provided by the opposite inner surfaces of a laterally spaced pair of vertically extending side wall portions, and said cushioning assembly being carried in the open central portion of said center sill, said stop and support arrangement comprising pocket means adapted to be mounted on the rear end of said return spring assembly, and abutment means adapted to be mounted on at least one of the inner surfaces of said center sill side wall portions for extension into said pocket means, said abutment means coacting with said pocket means to prevent rearward longitudinal movement of the rear end of said return spring assembly when said cushioning assembly is subjected to buff loads and to confine said rear end against movement in said center sill.

2. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 1, in which said pocket means comprises a wall portion adapted to be mounted on the rear end of said return spring assembly so as to extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said center sill, and a vertically spaced pair of horizontally extending wall portions on said perpendicularly extending wall portion and adapted to extend longitudinally of said center sill.

3. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 2, in which said abutment means comprises at least one abutment member adapted to be secured to the inner surface of one of said center sill side wall portions.

4. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 3, in which said abutment means comprises a pair of laterally spaced abutment members adapted to be respectively secured to said opposite inner surfaces of said center sill side wall portions.

5. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 4, in which each of said abutment members comprises a generally rectangularly shaped block having laterally inner and outer side faces and vertically spaced ends.

6. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 4, in which each of said blocks is vertically elongated and adapted to be secured to said side wall portions by a pair of vertically spaced bolts.

7. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 5, in which said perpendicularly extending wall portion comprises a plate adapted to be secured on one of its side faces to the rear end of said return spring assembly so that the axis of said return spring assembly substantially intersects the center of said plate, said plate having a lateral width greater than the space between the laterally inner side faces of said abutment members, the lateral width of said plate also being adapted to be substantially equal to the vertically extending side Wall portions of said center sill, whereby the rear end of said return spring assembly is confined against lateral movement in said center sill and the reaction force from said abutment members is concentric with the applied force from said return spring assembly.

8. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 7, in which said horizontally extending wall portions of said pocket means comprises a pair of elongated, generally rectangular, horizontally arranged plates, each of said plates being secured along one longitudinal side edge to the rear face of said perpendicularly extending plate so that the vertical space between 10. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 9, in which said gusset means comprises a plurality of laterally spaced, generally rectangular plates welded to said horizontally arranged plates and to said perpendicularly extending plate. 

1. A combined stop and support arrangement for the rear end of the return spring assembly for the cushioning unit of a railway vehicle underframe cushioning assembly, said underframe including an elongated, longitudinally extending center sill having an open central portion provided by the opposite inner surfaces of a laterally spaced pair of vertically extending side wall portions, and said cushioning assembly being carried in the open central portion of said center sill, said stop and support arrangement comprising pocket means adapted to be mounted on the rear end of said return spring assembly, and abutment means adapted to be mounted on at least one of the inner surfaces of said center sill side wall portions for extension into said pocket means, said abutment means coacting with said pocket means to prevent rearward longitudinal movement of the rear end of said return spring assembly when said cushioning assembly is subjected to buff loads and to confine said rear end against movement in said center sill.
 2. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 1, in which said pocket means comprises a wall portion adapted to be mounted on the rear end of said return spring assembly so as to extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said center sill, and a vertically spaced pair of horizontally extending wall portions on said perpendicularly extending wall portion and adapted to extend longitudinally of said center sill.
 3. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 2, in which said abutment means comprises at least one abutment member adapted to be secured to the inner surface of one of said center sill side wall portions.
 4. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 3, in which said abutment means comprises a pair of laterally spaced abutment members adapted to be respectively secured to said opposite inner surfaces of said center sill side wall portions.
 5. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 4, in which each of said abutment members comprises a generally rectangularly shaped block having laterally inner and outer side faces and vertically spaced ends.
 6. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 4, in which each of said blocks is vertically elongated and adapted to be secured to said side wall portions by a pair of vertically spaced bolts.
 7. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 5, in which said perpendicularly extending wall portion comprises a plate adapted to be secured on one of its side faces to the rear end of said return spring assembly so that the axis of said return spring assembly substantially intersects the center of said plate, said plate having a lateral width greater than the space between the laterally inner side faces of said abutment members, the lateral width of said plate also being adapted to be substantially equal to the vertically extending side wall portions of said center sill, whereby the rear end of said return spring assembly is confined against lateral movement in said center sill and the reaction force from said abutment members is concentric with the applied force from said return spring assembly.
 8. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 7, in which said horizontally extending wall portions of said pocket means comprises a pair of elongated, generally rectangular, horizontally arranged plates, each of said plates being secured along one longitudinal side edge to the rear face of saiD perpendicularly extending plate so that the vertical space between the inner side faces of said horizontally arranged plates is substantially equal to vertical length of said blocks, whereby the rear end of said return spring is also confined against vertical movement in said center sill.
 9. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 8, in which gusset means is secured to the outer side face of each said horizontally arranged plates and to the rear face of said perpendicularly extending plate.
 10. The combined stop and support arrangement of claim 9, in which said gusset means comprises a plurality of laterally spaced, generally rectangular plates welded to said horizontally arranged plates and to said perpendicularly extending plate. 